The Cavern is Exeter's longest-running independent live-music venue, an intimate basement room at 83–84 Queen Street (EX4 3RP) that has been putting on gigs since 1991. Famously, Muse, Coldplay and Biffy Clyro all played here in their earliest days. After a devastating fire in 2016 the venue was lovingly restored by the community that refused to let it die, reopening in 2017. Its roughly 220-capacity programme leans towards indie, punk, post-punk and alternative — emerging UK and European bands sharing the bill with more established acts in genuinely up-close shows. The space runs as a café (11am–4pm), with gigs typically 7pm–10pm and club nights 10pm–2am, and a full in-house PA. Both original acts and covers find a home here.
City Centre · Every Monday · Free
The Cavern Open Mic
Exeter's Monday-night free open mic at 83 Queen Street, EX4 3RP — basement music venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Cavern · Exeter
Monday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Exeter open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Cavern Open Mic — Quick Facts
Exeter's Monday-night free open mic at 83 Queen Street, EX4 3RP — basement music venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayMonday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 150 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Cavern83 Queen Street
City Centre
Exeter EX4 3RP
City Centre, Exeter — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
Full backline on stage
In-house sound engineer
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
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About The Cavern
About This Open Mic
Every Monday in City Centre, Exeter
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Exeter open mic directory
The Night
The Cavern is Exeter's longest-running independent music venue. Monday open mic uses the basement stage with full backline.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
83 Queen Street, EX4 3RP. 6 minutes from Exeter Central.
The venue
Basement gig venue. 18+. Capacity c. 150.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
3 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Cavern’s Monday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
17:00Venue closes
Every Monday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Cavern
83 Queen Street, City Centre, Exeter EX4 3RP
Planning Your Monday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the Exeter live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Exeter's The Cavern open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Exeter open mic nights for alternatives.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Exeter mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
83 Queen Street, City Centre, Exeter EX4 3RP.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Exeter regulars across the Exeter open mic scene. Exeter open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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